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Alexander S. Braverman, 24, was arrested a short distance away from his house at 41 Craig Court near the border with Pound Ridge, N.Y. The self=employed handyman is facing drugs and weapons charges and may face more said Capt. Richard Conklin who said the investigation is continuing. Braverman appeared in court and was held on a $175,000 bond. His case was transferred to the Part A docket in Stamford Superior Court where more serious cases are held. He next appears in court on Feb. 28.
Braverman was charged with possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, cultivation of marijuana, operating a drug factory, possession of large-capacity magazines and illegally altering pistol identification.
Stamford Police called in their bomb squad after the explosive devices were found including a grenade. Police are going to examine if the grenade is real or a replica, Conklin said.
Stamford Police's Narcotics and Organized Crime Unit began an investigation several weeks ago into Braverman on suspicions he had weapons and was cultivating marijuana, Conklin said. When police arrived at the home Braverman's parents were there and police had information that Braverman would be returning shortly. He soon arrived and police detained him a distance away from the home and then walked him into the residence.
"Strategically we didn't want him to be able to access any of this horde of weapons that were there," he said.
Soon after they entered the home Thursday they discovered a room in the basement "that was a full-fledged marijuana cultivation room with lights and various different accoutrements to grow marijuana," Conklin said. There were seven marijuana plants in the room with some of them maturing while others were still in the growing stage, he said.
Police were also surprised to find "hundreds" of knives and other "edged" weapons in the home.
"Throughout the house were all kinds of edged weapons: knives, swords, hatchets, axes, sharpened sticks," Conklin said. "They were just scattered. Next to chairs, virtually all over the place."
Police also found a crossbow and replica muskets.
Also, numerous shotguns, pistols and rifles were found, most of which were in a gun safe in Braveman's room, Conklin said. Police persuaded Braverman to unlock the safe, Conklin said. Braverman has no permits to carry any weapons, he said.
The IEDs were found in Braverman's bedroom closet.
Police are still investigating the reason for the amount of weapons, explosives and what plans Braverman may have had for them, Conklin said.
"It is concerning to the amount of weaponry, explosives and illegal narcotics," he said. Stamford Police notified the FBI Thursday night and agents were sent to assist in the investigation, Conklin said.
Conklin left open the possibility that Braverman's parents may be charged.
"It's possible. We haven't determined that at this point," he said.
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